IMAGINE: Jamie saving you

     You lean down, practically becoming one with your horse, as you race across the plains. The wind whips your hair back from your face and you grip the reins. You're being chased by redcoats. Your horse flees into the woods and you remain lowered. You hope the redcoats won't follow you through the dense forest. You chance a glance behind you and your stomach drops. They’re still coming. "Hyah!" You cry to your horse. You ride for another minute and then suddenly your horse falls from underneath you with a loud shriek. You scream as you fly off the horse. You somersault through the air and then land on your back with a thud. The wind gets knocked out of you. You gasp in pain and then finally your lungs open up. You breathe hard and sit up. Your horse is laying on the ground, the whites of his eyes showing. “No." You whisper dejectedly. His leg is lame. You look at the redcoats who're coming nearer. "I'm sorry!" You gasp to the horse, before picking up your skirt and running. You skirt around felled trees, not even daring to look back. You step over rocks, nearly losing your footing on the wet surface. You suck in a sharp breath. “Stop right there!" A redcoat demands, suddenly in front of you, pointing his bayonet at you. You pull up straight and stumble backwards in shock. He's off of his horse, coming towards you. Your heart pounding, you look for a way to escape. “You aren't going anywhere." He states. The ground shakes signaling that his comrades are coming closer. Panic swells within you. “You want to make a bet?" You taunt before running at him. The redcoat is in too much shock to do anything as you tackle him to the ground. You rip his gun out his hands and land a few punches into his face. Your knuckles burn. You punch him once more and then run to his horse. You swing up gracefully, turn it in the opposite direction, and set it into a run. You feel the pain before you hear the sound of gunfire. A bullet rips through your shoulder. You cry out and slump forward, clutching your profusely bleeding shoulder. You groan and squeeze your eyes shut. The horse continues to run. ———      You lose the redcoats when night falls. Your shirt is red and you feel like passing out. You're slumped against the horse, panting from the pain. The horse slowly walks, going anywhere. You don't even care at this point. You're dying. You know you are. You've lost so much blood the past few hours, it’d be a miracle if you live through the night. "Help. Somebody...help." You murmur. You slowly start to slide off the saddle. You fall off the horse and land painfully on your side. The horse just keeps walking, ignoring you. Tears fill your eyes and you choke on a sob. You never wanted to die alone. Not even the horse will stay with you. You sniff and close your eyes. ———      You wake up to the feeling of someone touching your shoulder. You don't even remember falling asleep. Your eyes fly open and you gasp. There's a man kneeling beside you, a lantern lighting his handsome face. "Who are you?" You whisper. He looks at you seriously. "That doesn't matter. Right now what matters is that shoulder of yours. You're bleeding out." He says, before gathering you into his arms. You gasp from the pain and hold onto him tightly. "Where are we going?" You ask him as he sets you on his horse. He swings up in back of you. You sink back against him, too weak to hold yourself up, and he wraps his arms tightly around you. “Somewhere where you can get better." He states. He pulls out a piece of cloth from his pocket. "Press this to your wound." He instructs. You gently take and press it there, grimacing. "Hyah!" He shouts to his horse. It takes off. “My-my name is Y/N." You say hoarsely, resting the back of your head against his shoulder. “I'm Jamie." "Jamie...that's-that's a nice name..." You murmur tiredly, before passing out. ———     You wake up in a large bedroom. Sunlight is streaming through the windows and there's a small fire in the fireplace. It takes you a second or two to recollect what happened. Then it hits you. You sit up, your eyes wide. You touch your bandage shoulder which doesn't hurt as much. You start to get out of bed but the dizziness stops you. You sigh and sink back against your pillows, your head spinning. Your door opens and Jamie walks in with a tray of food. He looks at you at you in surprise and then smiles. “You're up." You nod. "Yeah, I am." He walks over to you and sets the tray on a table. "How do you feel?" “Like I've been shot." You answer with a smile. He smiles back. "You nearly died, Y/N. We weren't even sure you were going to wake up. You lost so much blood." “Where are am I?" “You're at Castle Leoch." Your eyebrows raise in surprise. "Wow." You breathe. “I know." He half smiles. You look up at him. "You saved me." He looks down. "Ah, no, no, no, I wouldn't call it 'saving' you." “Um, I would. I would have died out there if you hadn't found me. I wouldn't be here right now." He looks you. "What happened? Why were you shot?" “I was being chased by redcoats." He frowns. "And they shot you? A woman?" He asks in disgust. “They don't care about my sex." You laugh humorlessly. Jamie sits on your bed. "No, apparently not." He murmurs, staring at you intently. “What." You say, smiling a little. He blinks and quickly looks away from you, a small flush on his face. "Uh, nothing, nothing." He stammers. He clears his throat. "Are you hungry?" He asks. “Famished." You answer as he reaches for your bowl. Jamie talks with you while you eat. You keep finding him staring at you and smiling at you. It makes your heart race in the most peculiar way.

PART TWO

     You walk the grounds of Castle Leoch, trying to memorize every inch of this place. You’ve spent a lot of time here recovering from your injuries and now you’ve decided it’s time to go home. You really don’t want to leave. You love it here. You love who’s here. You smile, thinking of Jamie. You’ve fallen for him. Hard. He tended to your wounds, helped you recover, and managed to steal your heart in a little under two months. The thing is, you love Jamie, but you don’t think he loves you back. Sure, he’s amazingly sweet, caring, and gentle, but that doesn’t mean that he’s in love with you. You sigh, feeling a pang of sorrow hit your heart. “Hey, Y/N! I was looking for you.” Jamie says, running up beside you. He slows into a walk. “Hey, Jamie.” You smile. “What’re you doing out here?” “Ah, just walking the grounds. I want to remember this place as best as I can when I’m—“ You stop. You haven’t told Jamie you’re leaving yet. He stops and grabs your arm, making you stop as well. “When you’re what? When you’re gone? Where are you going?” Is he sounding slightly panicked or is it just you? “I’m going back home, Jamie. I’ve stayed here long enough. I’m healthy now—healthier to travel back home.” You explain. Jamie looks absolutely horrified but he quickly masks it. “I-I-I didn’t expect you to be leaving so shortly.” He chokes out, continuing to walk. You follow him. “Jamie, I’ve been here for two months.” “Yes, well...” He stammers. He takes in a deep, shaky breath. “I’m sorry, but I can’t stay.” You whisper. “Why?” He asks sharply. He stares at you. You look at him and swallow. “I just...I just can’t.” You whisper. “What is it you’re not telling me?” He questions, grabbing your arms again. He turns you to face him completely. Tears fill your eyes and you rapidly blink them away. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” You mutter. He stares at you, searching your eyes. “I don’t want you to go.” Your eyebrows draw. “You don’t?” You say. He shakes his head. His hold on your arms tighten. Your heart swells with hope. “I think I’m...wait, no. No.” He stops. Your heart deflates. He steps closer to you, his eyes boring into yours. His voice lowers. “I know I’m falling in love with you.” He whispers. The tears come freely now in your eyes. “Oh, Jamie.” You breathe, your voice cracking. “I love you too. I was so scared you didn’t love me back, which is why I wanted to leave. I couldn’t stand being here loving you when you didn’t love me. I thought leaving would be easier.” “Are you still going to leave?” He asks worriedly. “No, no, no, no, of course not. Not now. Not when I know...” You say, smiling. He smiles back and draws you to his chest. “Marry me, Y/N?” “Yes.” You laugh, before he kisses you deeply. [THE END] I hope you liked it!